NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark — Central Arkansas Christian has found its next head football coach.
On Wednesday, the school announced that JD Plumlee would lead the football program, which finished 9-3, won the Conference 4A-4 title and reached the state quarterfinals last season.
Plumlee replaces Ryan Howard, who resigned on Jan. 10 to "pursue other opportunities."
"We are excited to come be a part of the rich tradition at CAC," Plumlee said. "We believe in the mission of Mustang Mountain, and we want to help continue to grow the good work that is established here."
Plumlee spent the last five seasons as the head coach at Malvern, leading the program to a 35-25 overall record and a 4A state title in 2022, the school's first in 29 years.
CAC Athletic Director Hayden Cruce highlighted not only Plumlee’s success on the field, but also his track record as a man of faith who inspires young men to grow into men of character.
"Coach Plumlee is first and foremost a man of deep faith," Cruce said. "On the field, his results are a testament to his exceptional abilities as a coach. We believe that his commitment to engaging with young people, his expectation of excellence from himself as well as others, and his desire to please the Lord set him apart as a leader on and off the field."
Malvern was coming off a 0-10 season when Plumlee took over in 2019. After his arrival, the Leopards made the state playoffs every year.
Last season, Plumlee led Malvern to the second round of the playoffs with an 8-4 finish.
“Coach Plumlee’s outstanding success and results on the football field speak for themselves,” Cruce said. “He has won championships in multiple classifications across Arkansas, but his most impressive attribute is his ability to lead and inspire excellence in his colleagues, student-athletes, and community.
Additionally, Plumlee played football at Lakeside High School and attended Arkansas Tech on a baseball scholarship. He spent nine years as an assistant at Lakeside and was an offensive coordinator at Malvern, Harrison and Russellville.
While at Russellville, Plumlee led an offense that won the 2016 state championship. That success allowed him to become the head coach at Fountain Lake, Plumlee's first head coaching job.
CAC said Plumlee's first day at Mustang Mountain is Feb. 1.
“We are extremely proud to have Coach Plumlee and his family join the CAC community," Cruce said.